Thursday, April 7, 2016

8:30 AM

Nelson, a former Dem lawmaker who served as Assembly majority leader, has scheduled a news conference at his Appleton home to announce his intention to run, according to an updated media advisory he sent this morning. He will be joined by his wife and two children.

Nelson said shortly after Ribble, R-Sherwood, announced his retirement that he would consider a bid for the northeastern Wisconsin seat. But that talk cooled after the birth of his son, George, seven weeks ago.

Dems say since then, Nelson has been encouraged by the DCCC and others to get in the race, and some in the party view him as their best shot at winning the seat.

So far, two Republicans have announced plans to run: state Sen. Frank Lasee, R-De Pere, and Michael Gallagher, a former aide to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former foreign policy adviser to Gov. Scott Walker's brief presidential campaign.